[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] The KOSDAQ index surged nearly 7%, triggering a buy-side circuit breaker. This marks the third time in the last six trading days—following the 3rd and 4th—that the buy-side circuit breaker has been triggered. As buying momentum spread to top-market-cap stocks—centered on biotech but also including semiconductor equipment, rechargeable batteries, and robotics—the KOSDAQ index surpassed the 850-point mark.

According to MP Doctor on the 10th, the KOSDAQ closed at 854.47, up 55.66 points (6.97%) from the previous trading day. A total of 1,431 stocks rose, accounting for more than 80% of the total, and 11 stocks hit their daily upper price limit. Meanwhile, 236 stocks fell, and 52 remained unchanged. Buying momentum spread across the KOSDAQ market as a whole, with most stocks showing gains.

At 9:50 a.m. that day, a buy-side circuit breaker was triggered on the KOSDAQ market. This occurred because KOSDAQ 150 futures rose 6.05% from the previous trading day’s closing price, and the KOSDAQ 150 index rose 6.25%, with both conditions persisting for more than one minute. The exchange suspended the validity of program buy orders for five minutes starting from the time of activation.

In terms of supply and demand, capital inflows into the KOSDAQ market were particularly notable. Foreign investors and institutions led the index higher with net purchases of 103.1 billion won and 566.1 billion won, respectively, while retail investors recorded net sales of 672.9 billion won. In contrast, on the KOSPI, foreign investors made net sales of 1.4905 trillion won, but retail and institutional investors propped up the index with net purchases of 892.8 billion won and 576.2 billion won, respectively.

The top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization also rose across the board. In the biotech sector, Alteogen Inc.(196170)surged 14.1%, while HLB INC.(028300)(9.11%), ABL Bio Inc.(298380)(8.08%), and LigaChem Biosciences(141080)(5.92%) also posted gains. In the semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment sector, JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(13.3%), WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(11.44%), and LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(7.61%) showed strong performance. ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520) Secondary battery stocks such as (8.72%) and ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(7.29%), as well as Rainbow Robotics(277810)(5.16%), also rose.

The KOSPI closed at 6,299.66, up 40.89 points (0.65%) from the previous trading day, coming very close to the 6,300 mark. There were 697 gainers, 183 losers, and 31 stocks that closed unchanged. While large-cap stocks rose only 0.53%, mid-cap and small-cap stocks rose 1.91% and 2.23%, respectively, showing relatively stronger performance.

Among the top KOSPI stocks by market capitalization, SamsungElectronics(005930)(-0.43%) and SK hynix(000660)(-0.14%) closed lower. In contrast, HyundaiMotor(005380)(3.16%), LG Energy Solution(373220)(2.08%), SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)(1.12%), SKSQUARE(402340)(1.06%), and SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(0.84%) rose. KB Financial Group(105560)fell 2.33%. By sector, medical and precision instruments (7.19%), metals (6.46%), machinery and equipment (4.57%), securities (4.42%), and transportation equipment and parts (3.14%) showed strength.

Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at DaishinSecurities, assessed the market, stating, “As large-cap semiconductor stocks take a breather, rotational trading is spreading, and the KOSDAQ is clearly outperforming.” He explained that while the defense and shipbuilding sectors are showing strength, the KOSDAQ is seeing a distinct uptrend in semiconductor materials and components, as well as pharmaceuticals and biotech.

Lim Jeong-eun, an analyst at KB Securities, analyzed, “The domestic stock market continues to be led by the KOSDAQ, with foreign and institutional investors both switching to net buying.” He noted that sectors such as biotech, rechargeable batteries, and robotics—led by Alteogen Inc.—were driving the KOSDAQ market across the board, while semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment also showed strength. In particular, he said expectations of benefits for related materials, parts, and equipment suppliers have spread following SK hynix’s announcement of investments in its second-phase Yongin fab and the Cheongju M17 production facility.

Regarding the strength in the semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment sector, Kim Rok-ho, an analyst at Hana Securities, analyzed the recent stock price correction among domestic memory companies, stating, “Given the unprecedented magnitude of the decline, we believe the bottom has been reached.” He also explained that the stock prices of global front-end equipment manufacturers remain robust and their valuations are holding at high levels.